David M. Harper (architect)

David Michael Harper is an American architect, business leader and sustainable energy advocate.

He is the Chief Design Officer, Practice Leader and Director for SNC-Lavalin Atkins.

Engineering News Record (ENR) has ranked SNC-Lavalin Group as the 19th largest Design and CM-PM firm in the United States with 2022 Revenue of $1.5 Billion.

Previously before assuming his current role he was the Global Higher Education Practice Leader and the Managing Director for HKS, Inc.

The University of Georgia, Building 1516 in the Reed Community, is also LEED Gold Certified.

LEED Silver Certifications include Meredith College in North Carolina, Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, Fla and the University of Alabama in Huntsville Charger Village.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Harper served as Chairman of the South Florida Building Code Committee which was responsible for rewriting the Building Code and reforming the way homes and educational facilities are built.

Former City of Miami Mayor, Xavier Suarez and former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, recommended Harper to the fellowship of the AIA as result of his efforts after Hurricane Andrew.

CNN News and The Miami Herald have interviewed David Harper about architecture and disaster response, especially in conjunction with the architectural strength of buildings in South Florida during a hurricane.

Harper served on the Citizens Board of the University of Miami, and has served as a Visiting lecturer in the College of Architecture at Florida International University (F.I.U).

Harper also serves on the University President's Council and on the Dean's advisory board of the College of Architecture and the Arts (CARTA) at F.I.U. Previously, Harper served on the board of trustees of the Historical Association of South Florida (now called HistoryMiami), which is responsible for the Historical Museum of South Florida and the Woodrow W. Wilkins Architectural Archives section of the Museum.

In November 2012, HKS announced the acquisition of Harper's Miami-headquartered education design firm, HADP Architecture, Inc. The two firms had been working together on educational projects for more than 15 years prior to the merger, and wanted to expand their national education portfolio as well as increase resources and capabilities in the HKS Florida office locations

Harper was recognized in 2012 in Architecture Leaders Today magazine for his design of three student housing projects, and in Habitation Design Magazine for Best Conceptual Student Housing Design.

In June 2012, industry publication Architectural Record recognized Harper's former firm HADP Architecture in their annual Top 250 Architecture Firms list.

In 2012, Harper completed the design of a residence which produces its own energy and met LEED Gold for Homes standards.

In 2012, green building products distributor Alterna Corp. partnered with David Harper on his Green Energy Home project Domus Alba.”

Two projects headed by Harper are LEED Gold Certified: Georgia Institute of Technology-North Avenue Apartments renovations have achieved LEED EB O&M Gold Certification, currently the largest university housing building with this certification worldwide.

His college and university work has consistently received design awards including the 2014 AIA Orlando Award of Honor for FIU Parkview Housing.

The home, Domus Alba, completed construction in 2014 and was featured in Ocean Drive Magazine Florida Design Magazine Miami Home and Design Magazine Florida Caribbean Architect Magazine Pinecrest Sun Magazine and Pinecrest Magazine.

Harper is the recipient of over a dozen architectural design awards including the 2015 AIA COTE Award for his Domus Alba Residence.

In February 2015, Harper presented "Walking-the-Talk", initiative beginning with a lecture at the 2015 Miami Green Exposition and conference, linking architects and the public to lead by example and adapt to sustainability.

Other lectures included the Miami Architecture Center on the topic of architects who have achieved LEED Certification in the design of their own homes.

The American Institute of America Miami Chapter Committee for the Environment recognized Harper's design with the Award in Merit in 2015 and as the 2014 USGBC South Florida Chapter Most Outstanding LEED for Homes Single-Family Project.

The Village of Pinecrest issued a proclamation declaring Domus Alba as the first Green Home, LEED certified as part of Pinecrest's Sustainable Building Program.

The project won silver for Best Conceptual Home Design in habitation Design Magazine's National Dream Home Awards contest.

Harper partnered with Florida International University (FIU) to use the home as a sustainability training tool for students and faculty in the FIU departments of engineering, architecture, and interior design.

Industry publications including Architecture Magazine, Progressive Architecture, Florida Architect Magazine, Florida Trend, and Inc. Magazine have all interviewed Harper for architectural advice and educational information, as well as design and construction in South Florida.

His work has been featured in a variety of media outlets for over 25 years including the 2016 publication in Ocean Drive Magazine and Miami Home and Design Magazine.

In 2016, AIA Florida named HKS Architects as the Firm of the Year- the most prestigious award for the region's architectural industry- recognizing outstanding achievements in design, community service, education and services to the profession.

With projects ranging from health care, transportation, commercial, education, entertainment, hospitality, retail and housing, HKS, Inc. has been an integral part of every dimension of Florida's diverse growth, helping to position the state for sustained success.

Soon after HKS acquired HADP Architecture, The Ohio State University selected HKS Inc. as the architectural firm to lead the $370 million Project revitalizing the campus’ North Residential District to accommodate a 3,872 student housing complex, two new dining facilities, recreation facility and more involving 12 new buildings and renovations to existing.

Harper stated "HKS is proud to be taking the leadership design team role on the project."

In 2016, the OSU North District Transformation Project was completed with eight additional new buildings.

The new dorm rooms encourage interaction in common areas to promote socialization and connections rather than individual luxury perks.

In Atlanta, Harper served for 10 years on the board of trustees of the North Metro Miracle League, where he provided the pro-bono design for the “Family Center” part of the Adaptive Sports Complex located in Alpharetta, Ga. Most recently in 2017 and 2018, David has served as an instructor in practice in the Department of Architecture at Florida International University where he began as a guest lecturer in 2014.

David Harper was selected as the "Sustainable Architect of the Year" by AIA Miami for 2019 - 2020.

Harper holds the certification LEED Accredited Professional.

LEED-certified buildings have healthier environments, which in turn contribute to higher productivity and improved health and comfort to residents and staff.

David Harper served as Principal- in- Charge on the UC San Diego Live-Learn Neighborhood, which was completed in 2021 and is the largest LEED platinum university project ever built.

The project was selected by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as winner of the 2023 COTE Award.